Vacuum cleaner



Aug. 14, 1951 G. E. LOFGREN 2,564,469

VACUUM CLEANER Filed Feb. 25, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 05W EINAR LOFGREN BY I ,zwzm

m; ATTORNEY 0 (0 N v E g- 14, 1951 I G. E. LOFGREN 2,564,469

VACUUM CLEANER Filed Feb. 25, 1946 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GUSTAF EJNAR LOFGREN BY 5 4 ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 14, 1951 --UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE VACUUM CLEANER Gustaf E. Lofgren, Riverside, Conn., assignor to Electrolux Corporation, Old Greenwich, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application February 25, 1946, Serial No. 649,929

'20 Claims. 1

This invention relates to vacuum cleaners and is particularly concerned with means for disposing of dust, dirt, and like foreign matter which has been accumulated during cleaning operations. The present invention is also concerned with automatic control means responsive to certain operating characteristics of the device.

While certain aspects of the present inventive concept may be broadly applicable to a wide variety of types of vacuum cleaners, the invention is more particularly concerned with tank type vacuum cleaners in which a relatively stationary casing, housing a motor-fan unit and a removable dust collecting bag, is provided with an intake opening to which a suction hose is applied. Such devices are provided with suitable cleaning tools which may be selectively attached to the end of the hose and from such tools dust is drawn through the tube and deposited in the bag, the clean air being exhausted through the opposite end of the casing.

One of the outstanding problems presented by such cleaners is the removal and disposed of the dirt collected. Cleaners of this type now on the market provide for the removal of the front cover whereupon an open mouthed dust collecting bag is removed and the dust shaken from the bag which is thereafter returned for further cleaning operations. In addition to the obvious objection to such procedure because of the required cover manipulation and exposure of the collected dirt, it is frequently impossible for the operator to determine when the bag should be emptied. The collection of dirt by the bag causes the pores and interstices of the'fabric to become clogged, thus reducing the flow of air therethrough and consequently reducing the efiiclency and effectiveness of the cleaner. However, such reduction in efiiciency may not be apparent to the operator and thus, since the emptying of the bag is the least pleasant of the cleaning operations, it is frequently postponed beyond the time when efflciency would best be served by emptying.

It is one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a new and improved means for disposing of the accumulated dirt of a vacuum cleaner.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in a vacuum cleaner means responsive to accumulation of dust therein for actuating a dirt disposal means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner of the general type herein referred to in which the dirt disposal may be accomplished without manual manipulation of a front cover and/or without manipulation of the suction hose.

A further and important object of the invention is to provide for the accumulation of dust within the cleaner in a removable, disposable, and self-closing dust bag which may be safely handled after removal from the device without danger of scattering the contents or soiling the hands of the operator.

A still further and important object of the invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner which automatically in response to efficiency changes or at the discrimination of the operator will withdraw from the casng a sealed disposable dust receptacle.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the consideration of the following specification when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly broken away showing one embodiment of the present invention, and; r

' Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device in position for bag removal.

In general terms the structure of the present embodiment of the invention may be defined as including a substantially cylindrical, normally, horizontal body within which is mounted a motor-fan unit for causing a flow of air from the front to the rear therethrough. Both ends of the body are formed for normally permanent rigid association with the body proper, the front end being provided with an air intake to which a suction hose may be applied which hose is adapted to receive suitable cleaning tools, which the rear end adjacent to the motor-fan unit is provided with a suitable outlet for cleaned air. The top of the body forwardly of the motor-fan unit is cut away to form an open topped chamber which is normally closed by a pivotally mounted top cover which is provided with means for receiving and securing a porous dust bag preferably of paper or like inexpensive and thus disposable material. The arrangement is such that with the cover closed the bag mouth is positioned to receive from the front end, the dust laden air which is filtered by the porous material of the bag, the dirt being retained therein and the clean air passing through the motor-fan unit to be exhausted at the rear end. When the dirt is to be disposed of, the top cover is lifted carrying with it the dust receptacle and presenting it for convenient disposal. The inventive concept also embraces automatic means for raising the cover as by a spring power storing mechanism which may be released in response to a variation in an operating characteristic of the device as for instance, a decrease in operating efficiency due to overcharging the bag with accumulated dirt.

Referring now to the drawings which depict a specific structural'embodiment of one form of the invention, the horizontally disposed. casing body is indicated by the numeral l midway of the casing there is provided an apertured bulkhead ll behind which is mounted a motor-fan unit i2 and in the front of the bulkhead thereis disposed an air filter I3. The casing; body It] is preferably supported on sleighs; 1:4: and a manually; controlled switch I5 is provided to control the: motor-fan unit. The rear or. exhaust end of the casing is closed by a permanently mounted rear end plate l6 which is suitably apertureditom permit the discharge of air-gtherethrough and as in conventionalpractice, and may, be provided with means'for receiving the hose so that the device may be used as avblower. 'Ifhe forward end of the casingis.likewisetprovided with a permanently secured front, end plate l'l. through which is, mounted a hosereceiving. tube is to which the suction hose may, be,detachably secured. V

' The top of thebody iscut aw'ay as at 19 from a point adjacent to the frenuend plate IT and' midway of theheight. of thebod'y. to apoint at the top of the body adjacent; to the bulkhead ll andv the casing i szp'rovided with a'cover 2t sup ported on armsil pivotallyl secured" to the body as at 22. 28 there is provided a downwardly extending apertured bagpressureplate -243,the lower end of which terminates;inalforwaLrdly extending bag supporting shelf, 241 Aswill; hereinafter be described, the pressure. plateand supporting shelf act to lift the bag with the cover as thecover is raised. It-isto. be noted, however, thatwhiie the platev andshelf are-sufficiently rigid to perform this operation, the plate is permitted to flex with respect tothe coverin response to pressure applied by the end of therbag and such fiexure acts upon an arm. pivotally mounted in the bottom .of. the casing. as,at.2'6 and which is normally retained ,.in,a-.ver't'ical' position against the lower portion of "the. pressure plate 23 by a spring indicated'atz 1; Upon such rearmovement of the pressure 'plate,,thef arm. 25', is pivotally moved rearwardly'to contact andop'erate, a switch 28 which is arranged tocutout the supply of power to the motor-fan. unitiandltorelease the .cover to permit openingthereof in'a manner hereinafter to be described.

As indicated'at 29'; agasket is .providdbetween the cover 20 andltheopen ,top of thebody [0 to insure, a tight seal therebetween when'the cleaner islin operation.

The front end'of 'thecover 20is provided with a bag holdingplate 30 which is centrally apertured and provided with an air. inlet tube 32 which is adapted to register withlandlsealagainst a sealing gasket33 mounted upon the inner extension 34 of the tube 18. a

The dustcollectingbag of the present form of the invention is identifiedby the numeral 35 and is of the .typedisclosed 1 in the copending application of Leon P. BorkoskLSerial No. 641,992, filed January 18, 1946i- The body of thebag is preferably made from inexpensiveporous material such as-paper, so that the bag may be disposed of whenever. filled with dustwithout prohibitiveexpense. The, front edges 36 of the body of the bag 35 are securedbetween inner Attherear or motor end ofthe cover 7 and outer end members 31 and 38, respectively, both of which are apertured to receive therethrough the air inlet tube 32 of the plate 30. A pair of normally overlapping rubber closure members 39 is stretched across the apertures of the end members, the arrangement being such that when the .tube is inserted through the apertures the rubber closure. members are separated and engage the tube to seal the bag thereto and to-retain the bag thereon during cleaning operations. .When the top cover isopened, the retention' of the members 39 is effective to lift the bag out of the casing.

Whilethe cover 20 may be manually manipulated' by ahandle. 40, it is preferable to provide power means for raising it and this is accomplishe'd'by a spring A I mounted at the pivot 22 in such manner that the cover is always biased to open position. To secure the cover in its normal closed position during operation; of a cleaner, a latch 42 isprovided which engages a latchopening. 43 in the bottom of the lowerportion of the; bag holding plate 30. Thelatchfi? .is provided with .a forwardly extending triparm 44 which; extends through the front end plate I'T'to permit manual trippingv of the latch to release the cover, the latch being. normally retained iii cover engaging position by its springi45l In order to provide automatic openingof the cover asoleno'id' 46 is mountedin the front end plate IT and is adapted upon ener'giiatio'n torock the lat'chfto' cover releasing position. The circuit'for'thesolenoid" operates through the switchzit-515 mm" as the bag fills with dirt and becomes'les's' porous; its pressure on the plate 23 willjca'iise th'e" switch: 28 to be operated cutting"oif'thei ener'g zauoiror the motor and r'eleaSingith'e cover which raises? to" theposition'shownTiiiFigfjZf r e V The operation ofthe devicewillberealiilyuh derstood from" a consideratioh of thefor'egoih'g'i With the bag, in position on thefinlet tube 32 and'with theeo'verzlicioseu asishown iiiFig. 1, the operation ofth'e metor-fanunit will cause" dust laden air from the cleaning;tool ftb'bedia'wn" tlirough'the end platev l'l'ahd intofthebag'. The plate Biland'gasket" yforifi an eiTectii/esEaI topreventt he passage ofair around the bag. The porous characteristics 'of'the bag acts tofilte'r'out the dirt and'ldus't which'isret'ained within the bag while the clean air passes-out throughthe rear end plate Iii. When'it'is desiredftoenipty the bag or to. inspect it pressure as by. the foot}. is appliedft'o thearmt l oflth'e latch 42 which releasesthe platefiil' permitting,thecovertobe 7 then be app-liedto the tube-andthacover closed;

for further operation How-ever;should-theoris erator neglect to. discard thebag -g when itsefii ciency has been reducedbyicloggingz ofthe pores, the increasedpressure difference wil-lcause the bag to beforcibly'drawn against; the pressure plate 23 causing thearm25 to-actuate-the switch 28 which will break the circuit to the motor andenergize the. solenoid: 46 -therebyreleasing? the latch and perrnitting-ethecover to open, by rvir-tue of the coverspring; thuspresenting-:thebagfor disposal. 4

In carrying out the-present inventiomwit will be understood that theconcept=-is-not limited to thespecific structural embodimentthereof here-- inshown and that n m lerouschanges g-and :m-odi-f fications may be resorted to without departure &

from the spirit or scope of the invention as outlined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing defining a dust bag compartment, said casing including a stationary wall, an inlet passage extending through said wall to said compartment, means for connecting a suction hose to the outer end of said passage, said casing being formed with an opening at one side of said compartment, a cover for said opening hinged to said casing, an inlet conduit carried by said cover and positioned so as to communicate with said inlet passage when said cover is closed, and a dust bag provided with an inlet opening engageable with said inlet conduit whereby said bag is withdrawn from said compartment through said opening when said cover is opened.

2. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing defining a dust bag compartment, said casing including a stationary wall, an inlet passage extending through said wall to said compartment, means for connecting a suction hose to the outer end of said passage, said casing bein formed with an opening at one side of said compartment, a cover for said opening hinged to said casing, an inlet conduit carried by said cover and positioned so as to communicate with said inlet passage when said cover is closed, means for biasing said cover towards open position, latching means for retaining said cover in closed position, a dust bag provided with an inlet opening at one end thereof engageable with said inlet conduit, and a bag supporting member secured to and movable with said cover and engageable with the opposite end of said has, whereby the bag is withdrawn from said compartment through said opening when said cover is opened.

3. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing defining a dust bag compartment having an opening at one side thereof, a cover for said opening hinged to said casing, means for biasing said cover towards open position, latching means for retaining said cover in closed position, a dust bag, means including a resilient member carried by said cover and'engageable by said bag, means for producing flow of air through said bag, said resilient member being displaceable in response to increasing force exerted thereagainst by said bag resulting from increasing pressure drop of air passing through the bag, and means responsive to displacement of said resilient member for releasing said latching means, whereby said cover is opened by the biasing means and said bag is carried with the cover out of said compartment.

4. In an air filtering machine of the type comprising a filter compartment including an opening and closing member adapted to be opened for the insertion and removal of a filter, a mechanism normally tending to open said member, releasable means for holding said member in its closed position against the action of said mechanism during normal operation of said machine, an electrical relay operable to release said releasable means, and a switch operable in response to a predetermined filled condition of said ter for actuating said relay to permit opening of said member when said filter becomes filled with filtered material to a predetermined degree.

5. In a vacuum cleaner of the type comprising a filter compartment including an opening and closing member adapted to be opened for the insertion and removal of a filter, a mechanism normally tending to bias said member to its open position, releasable latch means for holding said 6 member in its closed position against the biasing force of saidmechanism during normal operation of said machine, an electrical relay operable to release said latch means, and a switch operable in response to a predetermined filled condition of said filter for actuating said relay when said filter becomes filled with filtered material to a predetermined degree.

6. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing having an air inlet opening, means for producing flow of air into said housing through said inlet, a dust separating member in said housing in the path of air flow between said inlet and said means, a cover on said housing providing access to said dust separating member, supporting structure for said dust separating member mounted on said. cover for movement therewith, resilient means:

carried by said cover and engageable by said dust.

separating member, said resilient means being movable in response to an increase in pressure drop through said dust separating member, and. means actuatable in response to a predetermined movement of said resilient member for moving. said cover and dust separating member outwardly with respect to said housing.

7. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing having arr air inlet opening, means for producing flow of air into said housing through said inlet, a dust separating member in said housing in the path of air' fiow between said inlet and said means, a cover on said housing providing access to said dust separating member, supporting structure for said dust separating member mounted on said cover for movement therewith and including resilient means carried by said cover and engageable by said dust separating member, said resilient means being movable in response to an increase in pressure drop through said dust separating member, and means actuatable in response to a predetermined movement of said resilient member for moving said cover and dust separating member outwardly with respect to said'housing.

8. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing having an air inlet opening, means for producing fiow of air into said housing through said inlet, a dust separating member in said housing in the path of air flow between said inlet and said means, a cover on said housing biased to open position and providing access to said dust separating member, latch means retaining said cover in closed posi tion, supporting structure for said dust separating member mounted on said cover for movement therewith, resilient means carried by said cover and engageable by said dust separating member, said resilient means being movable in response to an increase in pressure drop through said dust separating member, said latch means being actuatable in response to a predetermined movement of said resilient member for releasing said cover and moving said dust separating member outwardly with respect to said housing.

9. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing having an air inlet opening, means for producing fiow of air into said housing through said inlet, a dust separating member in said housing in the path of air flow between said inlet and said means, and accessopening in said housing providing access to said dust separating member, supporting structure at least partially enclosing said dust separating member and mounted for movement outwardly with respect to said housing, and means actuatable in response to a predetermined pressure drop through said dust separating member for moving said dust separating member outward- 1y with respect to said housing.

7, 10. ,In av vacuum cleaner; ashousinggcieiin gcar;v dust nbag compartment,-,said-, housing-including: a1: fixedrwall, an air -inletpgssageextending;through said wall to said compartmentzsaid housing being formed with an access: opening -.:to.said ,-"compart= 5 ment,- means for, producingaifiowof air into; said. housing through said inlet passae;:.aadust bag removably positioned in saidcompartment in the pathcot air flowr'betweenasaid .inletand: said: means,:means operable-ior, movingsaid :dust, bag;- outwardly, through saidt access; opening; and means responsiveto anincrease in pressureairop' through said dust bagiar actuating saidimeansoperable f ormoving .saiddust bae- 11; In a-vacuum cleaner,-. ai fhousingdefining -,,a-;- dustbag compartment-.sai d heus,ing..;;including-.:a1i fixed-wall, an air .inletpassage extending-through: said-,wal-l-tosaid-l comnartment, said housing; be? ing;,for medwith: -an. -access openingelio saidgcom; partment, means -ior .producin flow-oi air-into said housing through .said -inlet passage; a .dust, bag; removably positioned in said compartment in thepath-of airflow-between said inlet and; said means, means operablaior moving said;dust bag; outwardly through saidaccess opening, said 26 means operable for moving said dust bagcompris ingaclosure member for said-access opening-having;means. f0r engagingand supporting said dust loag and means responsive to. an increasein pressure drop through-said dust bagfor actuating-said 30 means operable formovlngsaid dust bag.

12,. Ina vacuum-cleanen-a housing-defininga. dust ,bag .;compartment; said housing including afixed wall, an air inlet passageextendingthrouglr said :wall to said compartment,- said:housing-be-cing iormed' with an access :opening to ;saidcompartmerit; means;=;for producing flow-0f air-into said ,-housing through :sald -inlet passage, a dust: ,bag memorably positioned in said; compartment" the path of air flow 1 between; said :inlet and. 40 said means, an airinlet Ope i :i Said dust ba communicating wi.tl1'; s aid air inlet passaga; means "operable for inoving ,;said dustbag outwardly;- through said access opening, and means responi-p sive to anincrease inpressure drop through-said ls dust bag for --actuatin ;isaidmeans ,operable for: moving' said dust bag;

13.;In-a vacuum cleaner, a housingidefining an dust bag compartment,-said housing; including a;- fixed wall, an air inlet passage extending through: so said.=wall to said compartment, said housing be-,--' ing formed with" an access-openingto-said,com-- partment; means ior. producing fiow of r-air-intdg said housing through saidiiinletpassage; a dust bagv removably positioned invsai-d; compartment-155 in the path of air fiowibetweensaidqinletqandi, said means, an airinlet conduit extending into: said dust bag and jengageablewithgsaid. 'airjin-p let passage, means operable for. movingisaidw dust bag outwardly through;- said access opening-,:zco said means operable ,for, movingsaid :dust .bag comprising a closure;v member for, said ,accessa opening havin means ,for engaging jandsup porting ;said dustbag, and means'responsive =to an -=increase "in pressure :dIOp through 'said' zdust bag Ior actuating said, means :operable .fOIJmOVJ- ing said dust-bag.

14.: In a vacuum-cleaner; a housingfldeflnlngea dust bag cornpartrmant, sai d,-housinggincludingiaa fixed 'wall, an air inlet passage extending through-17o said wall to said compartment; said housin cbesr-e ing;formed with an-access openingtosaidcompantment, vmeans cfoixprcducing fiowmf air into said housing throughgsaid inletapassagegua dust; bag removably positioned in said compartment 8 in the path of air flowbetweensaid inlet andzi said means, means operable for movingesaid; dust bag outwardit'ithrough'said access opening; said meansoperableqfor moving said dustbag-com prising :a: closure member: for said access :opening having-:means for engaging :and supporting-said dusi'rbag, and; means including an electric-'circuit responsive to ,anincreasein pressure drop,

throughgsaid dustbag i'or actuating said means operable for moving said dust-bag.

15; Ina vacuum cleaner, arigid casinghav ing;,an opening, a 'dust bag. removably: mountedin said open-ing, a.-cover member-connected td 'saidcasing and having. anair inlet tube for communicating with theinterior'of said dust,bag,;. means for opening saidjmember, a latch to holdsaid member closed, an electrically. energizable deviceto;release said latch, an electrical control circui-tiherefor; andmeans-responsive to -predetermined increase in pressure drop through saidbag to energize: said control circuit and. thereby, said device to release said latch;

16. Ina vacuumvcleaner, a rigid casing-hav--- ing; an opening, a dust bag removably mounted inasaidopening, a cover member connected to.- said casingand having .an air inlet tube for communicating with the interior of said dust .bag, means for open-ing saidmember, a latch to hold said membercloscd, aha-electrically energizabledevice: to release said latch, an electrically energizableqmotondriven fanwithin said casing to draw air through said-tube and bag; and elec tricalcontrol means responsive to a predetermined increase in pressure drop through'said bagcto energize said device to release said latch and i30 interrupt the circuit to said motor,

17. In a vacuum cleaner, .a rigid casing hav-- ing an opening a dust bag removably mounted in said: opening, a cover member connected to. saidcasing andhaving an air inlet tubee for communicating with the interior of said dust bag, meansior; opening, said member, a' releas able. latch to hold-said member closed, means operable to. release :said latch, means including a solenoid adapted? upon energization to effect, operation of said la-tchreleasing means, en elec-' trically energizable-motordriven fan within said casing, to draw air through said tube and bag,;; and electric ,control,means responsive topredetermined .increase' in, pressure drop through said; bag-to-energizesaidsolenoidvto release said latch and to interrupt thecircuit to said motor.

18; In aq-vacuum cleaner, a rigid casing hav-' ing 7 an opening, kacdust vbagremovably mounted in. said opening -aacover member-connected to said casingandhaving an air inlet tube for communicating with theein-terior of said dust baEiQ-meansiOropening-said member, means care riedby -said-rmember for-moving said :bag out-V wardly whenwisaid -member;isopened, a latch to hold said: member I closed,: an. electrically energizable device to' release --said latch,- an e1ec-,-- trical control circuit therefor; and means .re-: sponsive to predetermined -increaseimpressurea' dropthrough saidfbag to :energizegsaid control; circuit and:thereby said devicerto release said? latch.

19:; In: a;,vacuum'cleaner, arigid casinglhav ingaamopening; a dust rbagzremovably mounted ing aid cpeninggaz coverrmem'ber's connected; to saidricasingxiandg havin'gzan air; inlet tube comi municating withgthe interior of :said dust bag and; being closableito :hold said bag insaid casingia latchzto', holdasai'di member closed aireelecm trically energizable device to release said latch,

an electrically energizable motor driven fan within said casing to draw air through said tube and bag, an electric switch in the circuits to said device and motor, and means responsive to an increase in pressure drop through said dust bag to actuate said switch to energize said latch and deenergize said motor.

20. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing having an opening, a motor fan unit for producing flow of air through said casing, means for supplying energy to said motor, a dust receiving container receivable Within said casing, means for moving said container outwardly, means for restraining said moving means, means actuatable to release said restraining means, and control means including an electric circuit operable to actuate said last-mentioned means and to interrupt the supply of energy to said motor fan unit, said control means being operable in response to an increase pressure drop through 7;:

said container.

GUSTAF EINAR LOFGREN.

10 REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 930,944 Hatch Jan. 10, 1911 1,377,721 Owen et a1. May 10, 1921 2,172,180 Shellens Sept. 5, 1939 2,192,224 Forsberg Mar. 5, 1940 2,293,518 Moyle, Jr. Aug. 18, 1942 2,300,705 Schott Nov. 3, 1942 2,317,865 Talbot Apr. 27, 1943 2,438,133 Sparklin Mar. 23, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 69,379 Great Britain July 23, 1937 and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,564,469 August 14, 1951 GUSTAF E. LOFGREN It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 1, line 23, for disposed read disposal; column 2, line 36, for which read while; column 8, line 9, for 10 midway read 10. Mid way;

the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oifice. Signed and sealed this 6th day of November, A. D. 1951.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

